Fante's Kitchen Shop – Since 1906

Tigelle

Tigelle – Crescentine Modanesi

Popularly called Tigelle, they are often referred to as Crescentine Modanesi.

The tigella is an ancient Italian flatbread with origins in the Province of Modena, in the Region of Emilia-Romagna that is known as the breadbasket of Italy.

Traditionally, tigelle are consumed hot, sliced as a sandwich or as a pocket, and filled with rustic hams, salamis, cheeses, pesto, vegetable oil, or vinegar.

Originally, this bread was baked between disc shaped fireclay tiles called tigelle (“tigella” is a derivative of the Latin “tegula” meaning “tile”) in the fireplace or open fire. These durable decorative tiles were about 5″ in diameter and 1″ thick, and are still made and used, though not widely.

A small flattened ball of dough was placed between tiles, which were then stacked over an open fire. The discs would impart the high, even heat required for baking, and their weight would keep the breads thin and imprint them with their bas relief geometric pattern.

The most common historical pattern was that of a six point star, and stylized versions like the “fiore della vita” (flower of life). This pattern is replicated on the plates of the Enrico Pruni “Due Torri” Tigelle Irons.

Made in Bologna, the capital of Emilia-Romagna, our Due Torri tigelle irons are designed to be used on a gas stove.